Knife carry laws in California (LA)

x39

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Dec 27, 1999
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I may be going to Los Angeles this summer. I need to know what is legal to carry there. I generally carry a Buck 110 or simular sized knife on my belt. Would that get me in trouble there? Thanks for your help.:)
 
Search around the Knife Laws forum and you are bound to find your answer.

BTW, I live in CA, but not in LA. CA law allows folders of any size, concealed or open carry, and open carry of fixed blades (any length). LA laws might restrict that however.
 
You shouldn't have any trouble with your 110. If you use common sense, like you would anywhere else, you won't have a problem.
Greg
 
Be aware that some cities have their own laws that override the states laws. And LA is one. Although Steven is correct that the state of California has no length limit on knives Los Angeles does have a limit of 3”. And they have problems with openly carrying a knife. So you can't carry a fixed blade in the open on your belt. And you can't canceled fixed blade, so basically no carrying of fixed in LA. It's open to the LEO for his/her interpretation, but you might want to put your 110 in your pocket rather than the belt sheath.

Take a look here http://www.ninehundred.com/~equalccw/knifelaw.html#SECTION 3.5
in particular section 4 on the local ordinance.

Another thing you can do is go to goole.com and do a search on "California knife laws" and you will get more (than you probably want) to read including some good info from Bernard Levine.

And as stated before by mckgreg, use common sense and you will be fine.
 
If I read everything correctly, you can have a folder longer than 3 inch blades in Los Angeles County, but they have to be concealed. Folders with anything up to a 3 inch blade may be openly carried, but anything longer than 3 inches must be concealed. Sounds pretty stupid, at least it did to me, and then I inquired about it in the Knife Laws forum and we figured out it actually is that way, IIRC. Check out the Knife Laws forum and look for my thread, it's kind of old.
 
Thanks all for the replies. I'll probably opt for pocket carry to avoid any potential misunderstanings.
 
Dig out your Buck 112! I've carried any thing state legal up to and including a Buck 119 and no problems. Have fun and enjoy La Ciudad de Las Angeles.
 
Different cities within LA county have additional restrictive rules as well.

For example, the actual city of Los Angeles has a law that is nearly identical to the LA County law (why?).

Other cities, like IIRC Glendale, have more restrictive laws that rule out concealed carry of 3"+ blades.

Pretty much - just stay out of trouble, don't commit any crimes, and don't go waving it around in public, and you should be OK.

Have fun.

-- Rob
 
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